Asheville YWCA needs help to fight diabetes

YWCA asks for community help to save successful wellness effort

Jun. 6, 2011

This water aerobics class at the YWCA is part of its Diabetes Wellness program. State budget cuts have put the program in jeopardy. In this class are, from left, Sherion Hoyt, Peggy Rash, instructor Rachel Blattner and Cindy Anderson. / John Coutlakis/jcoutlakis@citizen-times.com

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WANT TO HELP?

Donate: Visit www.ywcaofasheville.org to make an online donation, call 254-7206 ext. 206 or mail a check made out to the YWCA of Asheville to 185 S. French Broad Ave. Asheville, NC 28801. Join: A group of YWCA donors has agreed to donate $100 for every new Club W membership through June 30, up to 30 new members. Membership fees also contribute to community programming through the YWCA. Visit www.ywcaofasheville.org or call 254-7206 for membership information or to join. • Increase physical activity. Exercise can help you lose weight, lower your blood sugar and boost sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep blood sugar within a normal range. The greatest benefit comes from a fitness program that includes both aerobic exercise and resistance training. • Get plenty of fiber. Increased fiber in your diet reduces your risk of diabetes by improving blood sugar control, lowering your risk of heart disease and promoting weight loss by helping you feel full. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds. • Eat whole grains. Risk reduction is related to fiber intake (above). Try to make at least half your grains whole grains. Look for whole-grain breads, pasta and cereals. Whole grains should be among the first items in the ingredient list. • Lose weight. In one study, overweight adults reduced their diabetes risk by 16 percent for every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost. Also, those who lost a modest amount of weight — at least 5-10 percent of initial body weight — and exercised regularly reduced the risk of developing diabetes by almost 60 percent over three years. • Skip fad diets and make healthier choices. Low-carb diets, the glycemic index diet or other fad diets may help you lose weight at first, but their effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known, and such diets may limit intake of essential nutrients. Instead, think variety and portion control as part of an overall healthy-eating plan. • YWCA of Asheville. 185 South French Broad Ave. 254-7206 or www.ywcaofasheville.org• Cornerstone Diabetes Support Group. Meets 4:30-6 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the diabetes center of Mission Hospital, 445 Biltmore Ave. 252-5481. • Mountain Diabetes and Endocrine Center. 1998 Hendersonville Road, 258-2404 or www.mountain-diabetes.com. • Natural Health and Homeopathy of Asheville. 54 Merrimon Ave. 254-3004 or www.ashevillenaturalhealth.com. • American Diabetes Association.www.diabetes.org or 800-DIABETES.

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ASHEVILLE — For Walt Robertson, the YWCA isn't a gym. It is a support network, an education center, maybe even a family, but it's not just another room where people come to pump iron.

For those, like Robertson, living with diabetes, it can also be a lifesaver. But now the program that helps Robertson may need some life support of its own.

Robertson is one of nearly 200 participants in the YWCA Diabetes Wellness program, which may take a financial hit that Executive Director Holly Jones is calling “unprecedented.”

The state budget passed by the N.C. House and Senate abolishes the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund, which would result in the loss of $100,000 worth of grant funds to the YWCA, cutting the program's budget nearly in half.

“This has been a devastating financial blow for us,” said Jones. “We try never to be in emergency mode when it comes to financing our ongoing programs, but this was an extremely unexpected loss.”

Jones said program coordinators are making substantial expense cuts and identifying other sources of income to fill the financial void but need to raise $25,000 to keep the program going for current participants.

Even amid the daunting fundraising task ahead for the YW, development director Tami Ruckman said a group of donors has given the program hope by agreeing to match $100 for each new membership at the Club W fitness center.

“This is really a win-win for any community member to start something wonderful for their own health and to help someone who needs it for theirs,” Ruckman said. “If you're on the fence about joining a gym, why join a for-profit when you could join a nonprofit and know your money is going to help your neighbors?”

The program combines exercise training, support groups and nutrition education with a special focus on addressing health disparities related to race and the management of diabetes.

Program participants are required to invest financially what they can, to exercise at the YWCA two times week and to attend the program support group for the first six months.

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“This is a really unique opportunity for people to actually be in the same room with others who are living with diabetes,” said YW preventive health director Alphie Rodriguez. “It's a safe place to explore life with this disease and find out what works for every individual, and the results have been absolutely incredible.”

Robertson, a retired Asheville police officer, Vietnam veteran and participant in the program, said his time at the YWCA has saved him from more than just the physical perils of diabetes. After suffering knee injuries that inhibited his exercise options, Robertson experienced a significant weight gain and began his battle with Type 2 diabetes and depression.

“I was in a very dark place and got close to doing something stupid, but this program changed everything,” said Robertson, now 42 pounds lighter and “in a much better place emotionally.”

“A lot of gyms are filled with these young guys with huge muscles, and that's very intimidating to a lot of people, especially with diabetes,” Robertson said.

“Here, the only competition is to beat the disease, and everybody's on the same team in that fight.”

According to Jones, more than 78 percent of participants have experienced better medical outcomes as result of the program. About 65 percent of participants are minorities, and 90 percent are considered low-income.

“Cutting this program means people will suffer, period.” Robertson said. “(The YWCA) has found a real solution here, and we have to keep this issue on the front burner. It will save lives.”